Jogyodo, the Circumambulation Hall of Motsuji Temple 常行堂

Official explanation

The Jogyodo, or Circumambulation Hall, stands to the east of the Kondo Enryuji Hall. The original Circumambulation Hall burned in 1597, and was rebuilt at its current location in 1732.

The hall enshrines an image of Amida, the primary Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism, as well as a statue of Matarajin, a guardian of the Tendai Buddhist sect. According to legend, Matarajin appeared to Jikaku Daishi as he sailed home to Japan from China. The image of Matarajin enshrined in the Circumambulation Hall dates to the Muromachi period (1336–1573) and is displayed to the public only once every thirty-three years.

Read the full explanation

A spring festival dedicated to Matarajin is held each year from January 14th through the 20th. The festival features longevity dances called Ennen no Mai, a ritual performed at the Circumambulation Hall in praise of the guardian deities of the temple, which has been performed at Motsuji Temple for more than eight hundred years. Due to their historical, cultural, and religious significance, the Ennen no Mai dances have been designated a National Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.